Healing, Hope, and Justice for Survivors
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to honor resilience, build awareness, and strengthen safety nets for those in deepest pain. As someone who has walked through that darkness and come out the other side, I want you to know: there is hope, and you are not alone.
The Link Between Sexual Violence and Suicide
The connection between sexual trauma and suicidal thoughts is tragically clear:
- Survivors of sexual assault are 10 times more likely to attempt suicide than those without such experiences.
- Among rape survivors, over one-third have seriously contemplated suicide, and 13% have attempted it.
- Early-age abuse compounds risk: individuals first abused before age 16 are 3 to 4 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those assaulted later.
- Male survivors face particularly dire risks. Sexual abuse increases suicide rate among males by up to 14 to 15 times over their non-abused peers.
These numbers are more than data, they are lives. These are stories of hidden suffering, yearning for recognition, safety, and healing.
A Personal Note
I carry this connection in my bones. After childhood sexual abuse, when my world felt unbearably overwhelming, suicidal thoughts whispered that I was alone, unworthy, unseen. It was only when I found resources and help that I found my first lifeline. That moment reminded me that survival isn’t just strength; it’s connection.
Recognizing Warning Signs
Suicide warning signs often hide in plain sight:
- Talking about feeling trapped, hopeless, or worthless
- Withdrawing from people, work, or activities they once loved
- Increasing substance use or risk-taking behaviors
- Mood swings or sudden calm after periods of despair
- Giving away prized possessions or writing goodbye notes
If you notice these signs in someone, don’t wait to act.
How to Help Someone You’re Concerned About
- Ask directly and with care: “I’ve noticed you seem really down. Have you thought about hurting yourself?”
- Listen without judgment and let them speak their truth.
- Validate and empathize: “That sounds unbearably painful. I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way.”
- Encourage help: Offer to help them contact a therapist, crisis line, or accompany them to a support group or doctor.
- Keep them connected: Follow up. Your ongoing presence can make all the difference.
Crucial Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 (U.S.)
- RAINN Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673); chat or text for survivors of sexual assault
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): Resources for survivor support and education
- Safe Horizon (NYC): Trauma-informed services, hotlines, counseling, including multilingual support
- Crime Victims Treatment Center (NYC): Specialized mental health and legal advocacy for sexual and domestic violence survivors
- Survivors Healing Center (California): Focused support for childhood sexual abuse survivors, expressive therapy, and community events
Why Civil Justice Matters in Recovery
Trauma doesn’t just harm emotions it devastates finances, trust, and access to care. Civil justice can provide:
- Funds for therapy, psychiatric care, medication, and support services
- Emotional distress compensation that respects survivors’ experiences, even if direct financial loss can’t be proven
- Safety through protective orders and institutional reforms that prevent future harm
- A sense of acknowledgment and validation. There is healing power in being believed
When survivors have legal support, they gain more than money. They gain a path to stability, effective treatment, and community reintegration.
You (and They) Deserve Help, Healing & Justice
This month and always. I stand with survivors facing suicidal pain. To anyone reading this who has felt trapped: you are not alone, and your life matters. You deserve access to healing on every level emotionally, medically, legally.
Take one breath. Reach out. Let someone in. And know that civil justice is not just an endpoint it’s a lifeline that makes real, lasting recovery possible.
Please contact us today for free and confidential support on civil cases. 1-866-753-5458